This article was first published on the 28th of July, 2015, on LBCI.com | link

Zero waste Lebanon is, for now, a fledgling idea, but given the desire for change manifesting on the streets of Beirut, there is no task or challenge insurmountable in terms of achieving this goal.

So how exactly can this be done? The answer is simple. Below are a few steps that will be highlighted as part of a concerted efforts to rid the country of waste.

1- RECYCLING

First off, separate your waste at home.
In a blue bag, place your recyclable trash that includes plastics, paper and cans.
In a black bag place all organic garbage/food leftovers. For more details click on this link.
Here is a complete list of organizations that provide recycling services in the country.

Now that all recyclable material has been dealt with, let’s look into what can be done in terms of all organic waste.

If you have a garden, here’s how you can create your very own compost. The compost will serve as bio-fertilizer to nourish your greens and save you some serious cash. Got a lot to deal with? Then contact Terre Liban and other organizations -mentioned above- who will gladly take your organic waste.

3- A STEP TOWARDS CONSCIOUS CONSUMERISM

The secret to the success of oligarchies and predatory capitalistic systems is the mindless consumerism of the citizens of a nation. Train yourselves to proactively consider what it is that you buy and how much you really need it. Alternatively, skimp on the excessive packaging that comes along with it.

Lebanon is a country that loves to follow a trend and with the waste management crisis taking the country by storm and the rise in demand for a greener solution, people will look into creating more farmers markets and zero-waste supermarkets where you can bulk-buy your products.

Refuse the plastic bags offered to you! Buy a tote bag instead and use that. This will surely reduce the plastic waste that is being discarded and tossed at sea, consequently becoming food for what’s left of the migrating turtles, seals and other marine life swimming through our waters and taking our shores for refuge.

Remember, the more turtles die, the more jellyfish reproduce, the less you can go to your trendy beach.

THINK of the food you consume. Over %15-22% of greenhouse gases are caused by the meat industry. Cutting down on our meat consumption will drastically help decrease our greenhouse emissions.

“According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), our diets and, specifically, the meat in them cause more greenhouse gases carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, nitrous oxide, and the like to spew into the atmosphere than either transportation or industry. The FAO report found that current production levels of meat contribute between 14 and 22 percent of the 36 billion tons of “CO2-equivalent” greenhouse gases the world produces every year.”

Don’t believe me? Watch the video where John Oliver tackles the universal problem of food waste and its effect on the planet.

There is a solution, there are alternatives, but first we must become aware and engage in active citizenship rather than remaining passive observers of a reality that is affecting us all. Because, the Lebanon featured in the cover photo above, is the Lebanon we want to preserve.